We learned a lot of unexpected lessons while in Nashville. I definitely wanted to take some time to be able to pass on what we learned. The whole industry of Christian music that we've come to know, hate, love is in trouble.
Music labels are collapsing, radio stations are suffering, book stores see the repercussions. CCM magazine just printed their last print issue- EVER- and is now completely online. In this new age with the internet, file sharing, cd-burning capabilities, less restriction, etc., musicians and artists are having trouble competing. With many, the primary audience is teens and 20-somethings: the group using the Internet as their source of information & community. That is the case with CCM & Gotee records (which now is rumored to only staff 4 people). Many of the decidedly Christian radio stations are suffering monetarily- both because of the economy and also because everything is changing. Making & selling albums as we know it will be totally different. Some believe that the future of music will be giving all the music away for free & making money off the concerts.
One of our favorite groups is doing something totally innovative. They've made their own site where they produce 5 songs a month for a flat $5. You download the music and in turn being part of this site allows you to be engaged with the artist more- giving feedback, ideas and overall changing the definition of what it means to be a fan. This is innovative & an example of moving with this new wave of culture.
Those who decide to continue to feed into the Christian bubble will pop with this change. Those who decide to be innovative and think of music, community and marketing in a whole new way, will survive as long as they're moving with the times. Nothing says it better than this article by Charlie Peacock. Beware, it's extremely honest & maybe even grim. Basically he's saying everything is changing. If we've found artists we truly love, we need to support them. We need to be innovative in our support along with them. Otherwise, one day, we'll be looking back at this era of Christian artists. And maybe that isn't a bad thing. Maybe Jesus didn't like this era anyways. I'm just saying... this is reality. Things are changing.
I know some of the artists whose art I want to support. Some include Mars Ill, Philip Larue, Spoken, The Passion Band, Chris Rice, Dizmas and others. I love their art & it should stay around.
Wrapping up our time in Nashville
Tuesday was another great day in Nashville and unfortunately our last. The time went by WAY too quickly. Our morning began with an interview with Chris Rice. I loved what he had to say about music & the industry. He said that he regrets ever recording his song "Cartoons" saying that he was actually making fun of how Christians have their own version of everything... and apparently accidently contributed to the problem. I think people for the most part like the song because it's fun. 
There were other great interviews: 33 Miles, Sara Groves & Fee. We loved these interviews because they were on the top of this great downtown church in Nashville. They turned the roof into a concert venue and it's just a really fun and hip place. It also was great for the audio quality because it was nice and quiet.
33 Miles
Sara Groves
Fee
That night, we went to a Tooth & Nail showcase. It was beautiful. I mean, we were REALLY there for Spoken & had to wait 3 hours to hear them, but Kutless, Philip Larue, and Chris Taylor all rocked. Here's a clip from the Spoken show. :)
Some photo highlights
Phil Joel, Robbie Seay & Dizmas
All really cool with awesome things to say. It's cool to see the artist's heart & to see God working in their lives. WHOO.
Sunday night adventures at GMA
The dinner we went to tonight was just for radio stations. It was hosted by Focus on the Family. Met some incredible people at the dinner including John Fuller, staff at Focus on the Family. We recognized his voice straight away as the man that introduces Dr. Dobson himself for every show. We got him to record a sweet audio bit for Matt. We were stoked. Once you hear it, you will se why. :)
After that, we went to the night of worship lead by Michael W. Smith, Mandesa and others equally brilliant. It was a real good time. Those guys know music & leading others. Good stuff.
We skipped out early so we could go to a hip hop show. It was on the roof of a church. A REALLY cool spot for a church. In the stairs on the way up, we saw Dan from this season's BIGGEST LOSER. I would've talked to him, but I was so caught off guard. Talk about a moment in the twilight zone! Anyways, seriously, the concert was AMAZING!!!!!!!! It's going to be hard to top this one. Red Cloud, you are an amazing free style artist, THANK YOU! We saw our friend T-bone. He lost a lot of weight. Oh, also, while at the concert my phone dialed 911 and kept at it for 18 seconds. Even though billboards in Nashville warn me not to, I hung up. 911 called me back to see if I needed police. OOPS!
After enjoy that for a bit, we hit up the songwriter's showcase. There were some really cool songwriters doing songs for this concert, but honest to God, my favorite was Cindy Morgan (who I believe to be part of Point of Grace). She did this accoustic ballad that I'd heard on the radio a million times... but the way she did it gave the song such brilliance and radiance and beauty. It was the best. Mark Hall & Bart Millard hosted, Toby Mac, Leeland, Chris Tomlin, Brandon Health, Big Daddy Weave, etc showcased their pieces.
A long beautiful day. Now it's time to crash.
continuing gma adventures
We've had a wonderful day today so far. We went to bed when we wanted & woke up when we wanted. :) Matt & I decided to workout this morning. We had the fancy workout room to ourselves. I thought it was funny to workout to charistmatic preaching. It made me giggle. Then we helped ourselves to the complimentary breakfast: waffles, yogurt, robust cofffee, eggs, sausage, mmm. Today will have been the most low-key day of our stay so we decided to take our time, chill out, do whatever we felt like.
We headed over to the convention center, spent some time in the broadcasters lounge, then browsed booths. There are excellant things here ... and there are ridiculous things here. I try to think of Philippians 4:8 & not dwell on the riduclous things, but remind me to not promote the drink that may or may not say it contains the "fruit of the spirit." Come on now. Anyways, we got some amazing chocolate treats, free coffee, etc. We've had a LOT of coffee today. Had some with breakfast, made some in our room and got some more for free while looking around.
Matt has been at the artist meet 'n' greet where he got to talk to greats like Toby Mac & Michael Gungor and loaded up on CDs. He is now at the liner session getting some fabulous liners for the station & his show.
At 5, we get dinner at Old Spaghetti Factory courtesty of a magazine. Should be YUM. In fact, I know it will be. After dinner, we will be hitting up an incredible night of music- yes, all three concerts are tonight!!
Concert 1: Night of Worship, key artist- Michael W. Smith
Concert 2: The Peanut Butter and Jelly Party/ Hip Hop on the Roof Top, key artist- Red Cloud
Concert 3: Songwriters Showcase, key artist- Toby Mac, Mark Hall, Chris Tomlin, and more.
I'm stoked!!!
Last night was interesting... we caught up with some friends from Northwestern at Jack's BBQ. The food there is ALWAYS fabulous. If you ever visit Nashville, you must try Jack's. After words, we got asked to hook some guys up with some 'more bong hits.' We were impressed with our friend Matt O. He went to buy them some sandwhiches, then shared some deep conversation with the two cannibus fans. I think it was a good thing, hopefully a God thing. So many people would have just rolled their eyes, but Matt stopped and cared. I tend to think that if you don't think what you beileve is good enough to pass on, then what significance is it really? It was a good time to catch up with those friends from NWC last night, eat some good food and enjoy some adventures.
We headed over to the convention center, spent some time in the broadcasters lounge, then browsed booths. There are excellant things here ... and there are ridiculous things here. I try to think of Philippians 4:8 & not dwell on the riduclous things, but remind me to not promote the drink that may or may not say it contains the "fruit of the spirit." Come on now. Anyways, we got some amazing chocolate treats, free coffee, etc. We've had a LOT of coffee today. Had some with breakfast, made some in our room and got some more for free while looking around.
Matt has been at the artist meet 'n' greet where he got to talk to greats like Toby Mac & Michael Gungor and loaded up on CDs. He is now at the liner session getting some fabulous liners for the station & his show.
At 5, we get dinner at Old Spaghetti Factory courtesty of a magazine. Should be YUM. In fact, I know it will be. After dinner, we will be hitting up an incredible night of music- yes, all three concerts are tonight!!
Concert 1: Night of Worship, key artist- Michael W. Smith
Concert 2: The Peanut Butter and Jelly Party/ Hip Hop on the Roof Top, key artist- Red Cloud
Concert 3: Songwriters Showcase, key artist- Toby Mac, Mark Hall, Chris Tomlin, and more.
I'm stoked!!!
Last night was interesting... we caught up with some friends from Northwestern at Jack's BBQ. The food there is ALWAYS fabulous. If you ever visit Nashville, you must try Jack's. After words, we got asked to hook some guys up with some 'more bong hits.' We were impressed with our friend Matt O. He went to buy them some sandwhiches, then shared some deep conversation with the two cannibus fans. I think it was a good thing, hopefully a God thing. So many people would have just rolled their eyes, but Matt stopped and cared. I tend to think that if you don't think what you beileve is good enough to pass on, then what significance is it really? It was a good time to catch up with those friends from NWC last night, eat some good food and enjoy some adventures.
ARRIVED IN NASHVILLE!
We're here & getting settled in. We wanted to document our time, so here's a few of the start. :) Here's our sweet digs for this week. The pictures don't do justice. Be in touch, you hear??
Zoe in her new Hawaiian dress
Grandma & Grandpa brought this back from Hawaii for Zoe & we just could resist some pictures. :)
daytrip to L.A.
This last Saturday, we had a family adventure & took a daytrip to L.A. We wanted to have some time all together before Jodi gets here & Matt & I go to Nashville. WHOO HOO!
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